State reminds voters to remember photo ID

The state is notifying thousands of potential voters about the new requirement to present photo identification when casting ballots in municipal elections Nov. 6.

Elections will be held in 90 Georgia counties this fall, including all five counties surrounding Athens.

The Secretary of State's office is sending letters to more than 166,000 active and inactive registered voters in the 90 counties who may not have a Georgia driver's license or state identification card.

The recipients were identified through a database match of registered voters and state Department of Drivers Services records.

The notification campaign is aimed at reminding voters they must present photo ID for in-person voting Nov. 6 and for early voting Oct. 29 through Nov. 2.

Photo identification is not required to vote with an absentee ballot.

Among the elections in the Athens area are a countywide referendum in Oglethorpe County to approve a bond issue to build a $17 million school and several mayoral races, including a three-candidate contest to replace longtime Winder Mayor Buddy Ouzts, who decided not to seek re-election after 16 years in office.

When voting in person, state law requires a person to present any of the following photo IDs:

A Georgia driver's license, even if expired.

Any valid state or federal government-issued photo ID, including a free Voter ID Card issued by a county registrar or the state Department of Driver Services.

A valid U.S. passport.

A valid U.S. military photo ID.

A valid tribal photo ID.

Valid employee photo identification from any branch of the government.

For more information, call the secretary of state's toll-free Voter ID Hotline at (877) 725-9797 or visit www.GaPhotoID.com.